From left, Town workmen Todd Adams and Dave Stoddard level off some concrete poured into frame for a ramp on the railway crossing along Centre Street while Achim Kuehnle smoothes concrete - 9 Aug 2012 Simon Ducatel.

13 August 2012

CP Rail Asks Town to Build Ramps on Sidewalks at Main Rail Crossing

Vulcan Alberta - A week and a half after a senior resident riding a medical aid scooter was hit by a train after getting stuck, access ramps to ease passage over the sidewalks crossing the train tracks were installed.
 
Canadian Pacific (CP) contacted the Town of Vulcan with the request to do the work, said administrator Alcide Cloutier on Friday, 10 Aug 2012.
 
The ramps hadn't been built before as CP does the maintenance on the tracks, "and we can't do anything without their authorization", said Cloutier.
 
The Town had also never received any prior requests to do the work, he said.
 
Spokesman Kevin Hrysak told the Advocate the Town needs "our co-operation to get track protection to do the work," but that "everything leading up to the track is the responsibility of the municipality."
 
The Advocate followed up with Cloutier, who responded that CP has control over the work that needs to be done.
 
CP or any other rail company is responsible for maintaining a track's right-of-way, he said.
 
The Town's administrator said CP charges Vulcan on an annual basis for maintenance on all crossings in town.
 
CP values its working relationship with the Town of Vulcan, said Hrysak, and he added CP's doors and phone lines are always open should a municipality have any concerns or questions regarding any safety issues.
 
The new ramps, said Hrysak, will help ensure safe passage for pedestrians.
 
Anthony (Tony) Ryback, the 78-year-old Vulcan man who was struck by a train, died 2 Aug 2012 of injuries sustained when a Canadian Pacific train hit him on 28 Jul 2012 at the Centre Street crossing.
 
Simon Ducatel.